Samsung launched a service allowing its customers to buy or rent movies and TV series to download to their mobile phones.

Samsung Movies is a dedicated movie store for Samsung customers. Powered by Acetrax, the new store will allow customers to download and watch movies and TV shows wherever and whenever they like on compatible Samsung phones, laptops or PCs. Downloads will be available to own or rent.

Over 500 blockbusters such as The Dark Knight, RocknRolla and Ironman and hit TV series, including Gossip Girl, E.R. and Friends, can be downloaded and viewed on video enabled Samsung phones.

The service, which can be accessed at www.samsungmovies.com will be rolled out initially in the UK and Germany before being available in other key European markets later in 2009.

The new service will launch with over 500 titles from studios Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal and Momentum Pictures. By the end of the first quarter of 2009 a further 500 titles will be added, followed by an additional 1,000 movies and TV shows by the end of June 2009. Samsung also said that the service will be expanded this service to notebooks, mp3 and mp4 players and Samsung TVs. Samsung Movies start from £2.49 (US$3.55) for 24 hour rental or from £4.99 (about US$7) to own. However, newer films such as "The Dark Knight" cost £16.99 (US$24) to buy, according to the beta site for the service.

The move is progress in Samsung's convergence strategy and a first step in delivering consumer services to rival those from the likes of Nokia and Sony Ericsson.